Curriculum Info
Rainbow Schools’ curriculum is based on these developmentally appropriate practices. Rainbow School also chooses a “Learning Center” approach to the curriculum.
Rainbow School specifically provides a curriculum that is rich in discovery and exploration. We believe that learning takes place through child initiated, free choice activities or “experiential” learning. Though the program may appear informal and flexible, the curriculum and environment are a result of careful daily planning by staff. Teachers arrange the learning environment in to many interest areas: art, blocks, cooking, computer, home living, library, listening center, carpentry, music and movement, science, the outdoors, sand and water, work jobs, table games and manipulatives. These learning centers also provide exposure to letters and shapes as well as a foundation for numbers and math concepts.
Rainbow Schools uses the Creative Curriculum program to implement the goals and objectives that best fits our schools philosophy and goals. The curriculum covers ten basic areas of development. The ten areas of development have specific goals and objectives for infants through kindergarten which are:
1. Social Competencies
Regulates own emotions and behaviors
- Manages feelings
- Follows limits and expectations
- Takes care of own needs appropriately
Establishes and sustains positive relationships
- Forms relationships with adults
- Responds to emotional cures
- Interacts with peers
- Makes friends
Participates cooperatively and constructively in group situations
- Balances needs and rights of self and others
- Solves social problems
2. Physical
Demonstrates traveling skills
- Walks
- Runs
- Gallops and skips
Demonstrates balancing skills
- Sits and stands
- Walks on beam
- Jumps and hops
Demonstrates gross-motor manipulative skills
- Throws
- Catches
- Kicks
Demonstrates fine-motor strength and coordination
- Uses fingers and hands
- Uses writing and drawing tools
3. Language
Listens to and understands increasingly complex language
- Comprehends language
- Follow directions
Users language to express thoughts and needs
- Uses an expanding expressive vocabulary
- Speaks clearly
- Uses conventional grammar
- Tells about another time or place
Uses appropriate conversational and other communication skills
- Engages in conversations
- Uses social rules of language
4. Cognitive
Demonstrates positive approaches to learning
- Attends and engages
- Persists
- Solves problems
- Show curiosity and motivation
- Show flexibility and inventiveness in thinking
Remembers and connects experiences
- Recognizes and recalls
- Makes connections
Uses classification skills
Uses symbols and images to represent something not present
- Thinks symbolically
- Engages in socio-dramatic play
5. Literacy
Demonstrates phonological awareness
- Notices and discriminates rhyme
- Notices and discriminates alliteration
- Notices and discriminates smaller and smaller units of sound
Demonstrates knowledge of the alphabet
- Identifies and names letters
- Uses letter-sound knowledge
Demonstrates knowledge of print and its uses
- Uses and appreciates books
- Uses print concepts
Comprehends and responds to books and other texts
- Interacts during read-a-louds and book conversations
- Uses emergent reading skills
- Retells stories
Demonstrates emergent writing skills
- Writes name
- Writes convey meaning
6. Mathematics
Uses number concepts and operations
- Counts
- Quantifies
- Connects numerals with their quantities
Explores and describes spatial relationships and shapes
- Understands spatial relationships
- Understands shapes
Compares and measures
Demonstrates knowledge of patterns
7. Science and Technology
Uses scientific inquiry skills
Demonstrates knowledge of the characteristics of living things
Demonstrates knowledge of the physical properties of objects and materials
Demonstrates knowledge of Earth’s environment
Uses tools and other technology to perform tasks
8. Social Studies
Demonstrates knowledge about self
Shows basic understanding of people and how they live
Explores change related to familiar people or places
Demonstrates simple geographical knowledge
9. The Arts
Explores the visual arts
Explores musical concepts and expression
Explores dance and movement concepts
Explores drama through actions and language
10. English Language Acquisition
Demonstrates progress in listening to and understanding English
Demonstrates progress in speaking English